[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15303-15304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          GRANTING PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TO RUSSIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Walberg) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, as the Representative of a district that 
recorded more than $2 billion in exports last year, I know full well 
the significance of expanding market access for American companies and 
ensuring that our businesses are competing on a level playing field. 
That's why I believe it's important to support passage of H.R. 6156, 
which will grant permanent normal trade relations to Russia.

[[Page 15304]]

  This past August, Russia joined the World Trade Organization, giving 
its members full access to Russia's rapidly growing market, reduced 
tariffs, and ensured transparency when implementing trade measures. 
However, while foreign competitors are currently benefiting, the U.S. 
will not receive any of these benefits until Congress authorizes the 
President to grant Russia permanent normal trade relations. Simply put, 
American companies, workers, and farmers are being put at a competitive 
disadvantage.
  Last year, my home State of Michigan exported $225 million worth of 
goods to Russia, despite many of its best products facing tough 
competition from foreign competitors. With this agreement in place, 
farmers and producers in my district will be assured of more 
predictable market access for their crops and agricultural goods, while 
manufacturers will enjoy reduced tariff rates for Michigan-made 
vehicles and equipment.
  As a World Trade Organization member, Russia has agreed to comply 
with the rule of law. Though these reforms won't happen overnight, 
Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization requires their 
compliance with all of the organization's rules and duties. This 
includes addressing discriminatory practices, enforcing intellectual 
property rights, and increasing transparency. If it does not comply, 
members can enforce them through dispute mechanisms.
  Of further importance, this legislation includes critical human 
rights provisions which will hold foreign officials accountable for 
gross human rights abuses and prevent them from entering the U.S. or 
accessing our financial systems.
  House Republicans have worked tirelessly during the 112th Congress to 
advance pro-growth legislation which provides greater certainty for 
American companies and helps our Nation's businesses hire more American 
workers. We've made great gains in advancing trade interests for the 
U.S. and promoting new market opportunities for our companies.
  An ambitious trade agenda must continue for us to successfully lower 
the unemployment rate and restore our place as the global economic 
leader, and I'm glad we have the opportunity to pass another part of 
that plan today. If we're going to jump-start our economy and get 
Americans back to work, we have to find ways to increase global market 
access for American companies and to advance economic freedom.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation today.

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